Lipstick holder



Oct. l0, 1967 l s. swENsoN 3,345,103.

LIPSTICK HOLDER Oct. 1o, 1967 l s. SWNSON 3,346,103'

LiPsTICK HOLDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 26, 1965 53 INVENTOR '52 Row S. WEA/50N @Arron/vn:

United States Patent Giice 3,346,103 LIPSTICK HOLDER Roy S. Swenson, Danbury, Conn., assigner to The Risdon Manufacturing Company, Naugatuck, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Filed Aug. 26, 1965, Ser. No. 482,767 6 Claims. (Cl. 206-56) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A lipstick holder or similar device incorporating an axially reciprocable pomade carrier operable to advance or retract the lipstick mass upon rotating one portion of the holder relative to another, wherein the carrier is provided with a bendable wall portion and wedging means for radially expanding that wall portion after assembly of the carrierV in the holder, in order to produce limited friction between the holder and carrier.

This invention pertains to a holder for cosmetic or medicament materials, and more particularly to devices adapted to shift a mass of solid, or semi-solid, cosmetic or medicament material to and from an exposed position in respect to such holder. Typical examples of such devices are lipsticks, deodorant sticks, cologne sticks, styptic pencils and the like.

The invention herein disclosed pertains especially to holders of disposable or non-refillable type. Such items are mass-produced and it is essential that the cost of manufacturing and assembling the component parts be kept as low as possible. It is thus desirable not only to have as few separate parts as possible but also to form these in ysuch a way that their assembly into the final device will involve a minimum number of operations, which operations preferably can be performed by automatic or semi-automatic machines. With such general objectives in mind, the holder herein disclosed and claimed provides advantages of minimum parts, relatively simple fabrication and rapid assembly readily adaptable to automated means. Such advantages are accompanied by attractive appearance of the inished device which is of great signiance in the cosmetic art, as well as by smooth and dependable functioning when in the hands of the customer or user.

The invention is described and claimed herein with reference to a Vspecific embodiment of a lipstick holder shown for purposes of illustration in the accompanying drawings. While but one specic embodiment is here shown and described, it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereto but includes such modifications and equivalent structures as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. l is a cross-sectonal View in side elevation of an assembled lipstick holder embodying the invention, the pomade carrier being in retracted position;

FIG. 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a View in side elevation of the pomade carrier;

FIG. 5 is a view in side elevation, partially in section, of the outer or base shell of the holder;

L FIG. 6 is a cross-sectionalview in side elevation of the 3,3%63 Patented Oct. 10, 1967 inner .shell and carrier in partially assembled position;

FIG. 7 is a cross-section taken on line 7 7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-section in side elevation of a modified form of pomade carrier; and

FIG. 9 is a plan view from below of the carrier in FIG. 8.

As seen in FIG. l, holder 10 is of all-plastic molded construction adapted for use as a lipstick, being generally columnar and including an outer cylindrical shell or base member 12, an inner cylindrical shell or sleeve 14 telescoped within shell 12, an axially reciprocable pomade carrier or elevator 16 for the cosmetic mass M and a cover or cap member 18.

Cap member 18 slides axially over the upper end of holder 10 to seat against an annular shoulder 20 of base 12. The cap thus encloses the upper end of the lipstick to protect the cosmetic mass from dirt or contact with other objects. Cap 18 is retained on holder 10 by frictional engagement with longitudinal nbs 22 spaced peripherally around base 12 above shoulder 20. The cap is removable simply by pulling it endwise of the holder.

Base shell 12 is a hollow cylinder closed at its lower end by bottom wall 24 having a central aperture 26. The aperture is formed with an annular rib or lip 28 for a purpose to be described presently. The wall of base 12, above bottom wall 24, is formed interiorly with an axially spiralling recess or cam slot 30 which serves as .part of the propel-repel means for reciprocation of pomade carrier 16.

Inner shell 14 is also cylindrical, being open at its upper end and having a wall 32 closing the lower or bottom end of the shell. Adjacent its upper end, shell 14 is formed with an external ange or collar 34 of slightly greater external diameter than the rest of the shell which is so sized as to be telescopically received within shell 12, making an easy iit therein. Collar 34 serves as a finger grip extending beyond the open end of shell 12 to facilitate turning of shell 14 relative to shell 12, as appears more rfully hereinafter.

Shell 14 is provided with a boss 36 projecting concentrically of its bottom Wall and downwardly therefrom. Boss 36 has a frusto-conical head 38 spaced from bottom wall 32 by a short neck section 40 of reduced diameter. This neck section thus forms a peripherally indented channel or slot which receives lip 28 of base shell 12 when the shell members 12 and 14 are fully telescoped. The tapered outer wall on head 38 of boss 36 helps to center the boss in aperture 26 during assembly of the parts, and temporarily wedges the aperture open to allow lip 28 to be snapped into the recess formed by neck 40. The length of shell 14 is so determined that collar 34 abuts on the upper rim of shell 12 when this engagement between boss 36 and aperture 26 is effected and shell members 12 and 14 are thereafter restrained against axial separation but may be rotated relative to each other by grasping collar 34 and base shell 12.

Shell 14 s also provided with at least one longitudinal slot 42 in its side wall which runs from beneath collar 34 to bottom wall 32 of the shell. As here illustrated, two slots 42 are provided, these being located diametrically of shell 14 as best seen in FIG. 7.

Pomade carrier 16 comprises a sleeve of a diameter selected to give a smooth sliding lit within shell 14. This sleeve is-divided into upper and lower portions by an internal shelf 44, the upper portion of the sleeve forming an open cup for the reception of the base of the pomade mass M. A number of longitudinal ribs 45 are formed about the interior wall of this portion of the carrier to assist in gripping the pomade mass. The lower portion of carrier 16 comprises a skirt 46 on the exterior surface of which is located a cam lug 47 of short radial extent sufiicient, in the assembled holder, to pass through a slot 4Z of the inner shell 14 into engagement with the spiral groove or camming recess 30 of the outer shell 12. Thus upon relative rotation of members 12 and 14, lug 47 is cammed axially of the lipstick holder causing carrier 16 to move upwardly or downwardly within the holder.

While it is desirable in the spiral camming propel-repel type of lipstick here disclosed that carrier 16 move freely and smoothly within the holder upon rotation of the shell member 12 and 14, it is not desirable that this movement of the carrier be so free and easy as to allow the carrier to move downwardly simply upon application of endwise pressure -on the pomade mass M, in the normal use of the cosmetic device. To supply a braking action, therefore, the skirt 46 of carrier 16 is slotted, as by slots 48, longitudinally on either side of camming lug 47. Slots 48 extend longitudinally of the carrier both above and below lug 46 and in the particular design here illustrated open onto the lower edge of skirt 46, thereby providing a tab 50 capable of limited flexing movement in a radial direction. Diametrically opposite tab 50 there is formed a tongue 52 which normally extends across carrier 16 at an upward incline to the axis thereof. This permits tongue 52 to be formed of slightly greater length than the internal diameter of the carrier, for a purpose which will now be described.

Referring to FIG. 6, it will be seen that in assembling carrier 16 to shell 14, projecting lug 47 is first sprung radially inwardly by bending tab 50 to allow the lug to pass collar 34. Once lug 47 has moved below the lower edge of collar 34, it then springs outwardly into one of the slots 42 of shell 14 upon alignment of the slot with the lug. The normal tendency of tab 50 to return to its preformed position is reinforced and supplemented by depressing the free end of tongue 52 to force this end against the inner wall of tab 50. A detent arrangement for locking tongue 52 in this position is provided, including a notch 54 in the back wall of tab 50 under which the free end of tab 52 may be engaged and a pair of locking projections 56 located on tab 50 below lug 47. The arrangement thus forces tab 50 and its associated lug 47 outwardly and the interference thus created between the Carrier and its containing sleeve provides the desired swivel friction when the locking tab 52 is snapped into position, as shown in FIGS. l, 2 and 3.

A modification of the foregoing arrangement is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, wherein pomade cup 116 is a sleeve similar to the corresponding sleeve 16 of the previous configuration. Instead of employing an integral tabbiasing tongue for imparting swivel friction to the assembled parts, however, cup 116 is formed in its lower end with a spider 152 whose legs 153 bow upwardly and inwardly from the bottom rim of the cup. The internal shelf 144, against which the pomade seats, is discontinuous in its periphery leaving three segments 154, as specilically shown in FIG. 9. A separate spreader or insert 156, keyed to fit the interrupted periphery of shelf 144, is inserted in the cup and forced down against the center of spider 152, thus forcing legs 153 to expand outwardly also. Insert 156, once it is pushed below shelf 144, is then rotated to cause it to lock beneath the shelf in the spiderexpanding position. Instead of the keyed or bayonet locking arrangement insert 156 may be proportioned simply to be wedged into position, relying on the ability of the plastic cup temporarily to deform sufficiently to permit this.

While the foregoing specific illustration of the invention has been directed to an all-plastic lipstick holder, it will be apparent that equivalent designs in metal or combinations of metal and plastic utilizing the concept of this invention may be employed, and such modifications which fall within the scope of the appended claims are accordingly intended to be converted thereby.

What is claimed is:

1. A holder for movably supporting a cosmetic mass between a position exposing it for use at one end of the holder and a retracted position within the holder when not in use, which comprises (a) a first hollow cylindrical shell open at one end and having a bottom wall at its other end,

(b) a second hollow cylindrical shell likewise open at one end and having a bottom wall at its other end, said second shell having external flange means adjacent its open end and being telescopingly received within said first shell with said fiange means overlying the rim of said first shell at its open end and said bottom walls positioned relatively adjacent each other, one of said bottom walls having an axial opening and the other an axial projection extending into and engaging the margin of said opening to resist axial separation of said shells while permitting relative rotational movement between them;

(c) an axially reciprocable cosmetic lcarrier slidably received in said second shell for movement toward and away from the open end thereof, said carrier including a radially bendable wall portion and an outwardly projecting cam lug follower on said bendable wall portion,

(d) means for wedging said bendable wall portion radially outwardly and comprising a member spanning said carrier and adapted to be brought into wedging relation between said bendable wall portion and the opposite wall of the carrier after the `carrier is assembled in said second shell, and

(e) propel-repel cam means on each of said cylindrical members co-acting with said cam lug to displace said carrier axially of said cylindrical shells upon relative rotational movement thereof.

2. A holder as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for wedging said bendable wall portion constitutes a tongue joined at one end to the carrier and extending generally transversely thereof to project into engagement with said bendable portion of said carrier wall and resiliently urge said portion and said :camming lug radially radially outward to create an interference between the carrier and its retaining shell.

3. A holder as defined in claim 2, wherein said carrier is provided with a skirt having a pair of longitudinal slots therein defining a tab constituting said bendable wall portion on which said camming lug is mounted, said tab having detent means on its inner surface for engagement by the free end of said tongue.

4. A holder as defined in claim 3, wherein said tongue is resilient, is initially inclined, prior to engagement with said tab, to the longitudinal -axis of the carrier and slightly greater in length that the internal diameter of the carrier at that point.

5. A holder as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for wedging said bendable wall portion constitutes a spider in its lower end whose legs bow upwardly and inwardly from the lower rim of the cup, said carrier having an internal shelf interrupted in its periphery and a separate insert keyed to register with the aperture formed by said interrupted shelf, said insert being depressable against the center of said spider to force the legs thereof into expanding relation in respect to the lower rim of the cup, said insert being rotatable into position to take it out of registry with the aperture formed by the shelf once it is forced below said shelf, whereby to lock said insert below said shelf.

6. A holder as defined in claim 1, wherein said carrier is provided with an internal peripheral shelf intermediate 5 6 its ends, and a separate insert member disposed in the 2,797,803 7/ 1957 Hopgood 206-56 aperture formed by said shelf and wedged against the in- 2,818,167 12/ 1957 McKinley 206-56 terior of said carrier below said shelf to expand said car- 3,124,245 3/ 1964 Hopgood 206-56 ner below said shelf to expand sa1d carrier rad1ally m FOREIGN PATENTS the region below sa1d shelf. 5

646,154 8/ 1962 Canada. References Cited 1,205,370 4/ 1959 France. 1520 430 $5155? rflms PATENTS 206 56 THERON E.CoNDoN,Primary Examiner.

o e 2,345,315 3/1944 Anderson 206 56 1() MARTHA L- RICE: Asslsmnt Exammef 2,656,559 10/1953 Wiseman. 

1. A HOLDER FOR MOVABLY SUPPORTING A COSMETIC MASS BETWEEN A POSITION EXPOSING IT FOR USE AT ONE END OF THE HOLDER AND A RETRACTED POSITION WITHIN THE HOLDER WHEN NOT IN USE, WHICH COMPRISES (A) A FIRST HOLLOW CYLINDRICAL SHELL OPEN AT ONE END AND HAVING A BOTTOM WALL AT ITS OTHE END, (B) A SECOND HOLLOW CYLINDRICAL SHELL LIKEWISE OPEN AT ONE END AND HAVING A BOTTOM WALLS AT ITS OTHER END, SAID SECOND SHELL HAVING EXTERNAL FLANGE MEANS ADJACENT ITS OPEN END AND BEING TELESCOPINGLY RECEIVED WITHIN SAID FIRST SHELL WITH SAID FLANGE MEANS OVERLYING THE RIM OF SAID FIRST SHELL AT ITS OPEN END AND SAID BOTTOM WALLS POSITIONED RELATIVELY ADJACENT EACH OTHER, ONE OF SAID BOTTOM WALLS HAVING AN AXIAL OPENING AND THE OTHER AXIAL PROJECTION EXTENDING INTO AND ENGAGING THE MARGIN OF SAID OPENING TO RESIST AXIAL SEPARATION OF SAID SHELLS WHILE PERMITTING RELATIVE ROTATIONAL MOVEMENT BETWEEN THEM; (C) AN AXIALLY RECIPROCABLE COSMETIC CARRIER SILDABLY RECEIVED IN SAID SECOND SHELL FOR MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM THE OPEN END THEREOF, SAID CARRIER INCLUDING A RADIALLY BENDABLE WALL PORTION AND AN OUTWARDLY PROJECTING CAM LUG FOLLOWER ON SAID BENDABLE WALL PORTION, (D) MEANS FOR WEDGING SID BENDABLE WALL PORITION RADIALLY OUTWARDLY AND COMPRISING A MEMBER SPANNING SAID CARRIER AND ADAPTED TO BE THROUHG INTO WEDGING RELATION BETWEEN SAID BENDABLE WALL PORTION AND THE OPPOSITE WALL OF THE CARRIER AFTER THE CARRIER IS ASSEMBLED IN SAID SECOND SHELL, AND (E) PROPEL-REPEL CAM MEANS ON EACH OF SAID CYLINDRICAL MEMBERS CO-ACTING WITH SAID CAM LUG TO DISPLACE SAID CARRIER AXIALLY OF SAID CYLINDRICAL SHELLS UPON RELATIVE ROTATIONAL MOVEMENT THEREOF. 